La Poularde de Houdan sur Houdan

Pure poultry Houdan pâté, as it should be. Pan-fried chicken supreme with wild mushrooms, crème fraîche, and fresh pasta. Finally, the apotheosis: chicken leg in a pot with truffle jus, supreme sauce, and "pebbly" rice. It was Charles Aznavour's favorite dish when he came. Pure artistry. Tradition has its merits. The wine list has seen better days, but that's the lot of these establishments around the edge of the Île-de-France region, a little too far from major cities. A favorite spot for Joël Robuchon's family gatherings, this Michelin-starred restaurant for 25 years also served its famous lobster salad to Catherine Deneuve, whose château was nearby. Didier Barbelivien, who lives in Montfort-l'Amaury, is also a regular at this deeply rooted establishment. Now, for the important stuff: the great Orson Welles was a close friend of the family and loved to eat here. When he passed away, his last partner, Oda Kodar, decreed that his sculptures would remain in the gardens of La Poularde. Touching. We are not in the middle of nowhere here, far from it!

Located in the heart of Houdan, La Poularde is the quintessential family restaurant where conviviality blends seamlessly with the region's culinary traditions. From the moment you step inside, the warm welcome and intimate atmosphere make you feel right at home, with the added bonus of expert cuisine. The restaurant's true asset in fine weather is its magnificent terrace nestled in a verdant garden. Sheltered from the hustle and bustle, this true haven of peace offers an idyllic setting, perfect for sharing a Sunday lunch with family or a sunny day out with friends. Dining in peace and quiet, surrounded by greenery, adds an incomparable charm to the experience. As for the menu, the restaurant showcases local produce. The must-try local specialty is the famous Houdan Pâté. Generous, perfectly seasoned, and prepared according to time-honored traditions, it delights lovers of authentic gastronomy. An essential bonus: the restaurant also offers it for takeout. It's the perfect option to take home a piece of culinary heritage and extend the pleasure at home, or share it with friends at an impromptu picnic. Whether it's for the quality of its traditional cuisine, the tranquility of its garden, or the opportunity to purchase its artisanal specialties, La Poularde is an unmissable and generous gourmet stop in Houdan. New: Air conditioning has just been installed!

Excellent restaurant! The food is delicious, the dishes are flavorful and prepared with care. The service is warm, attentive, and very pleasant. The setting is also very lovely and the atmosphere is friendly. We had a wonderful time and will gladly return. I highly recommend it!

Tonight I spent a timeless moment in this charming place, both inside and out, where the meal and setting were perfect, and the owner was exceptionally kind and friendly. Thank you for this peaceful interlude in our hectic lives.

On a beautiful spring day, as warm as summer, we had lunch on the terrace. The cool shade of the trees in the lovely garden made the temperature very bearable. The chef's cuisine was sublime, as always! The service was pleasant. A truly delightful culinary experience. Pure bliss. I highly recommend it! ☺️

A refined, elegant, and welcoming setting, and excellent cuisine. Everything here is homemade, which is increasingly rare. It's the kind of food you're happy to share with family or friends. In short, a truly wonderful place... Thank you for this delicious meal!

Homemade cuisine from main dishes to ice cream. Magnificent garden. Very pleasant, delicious and indulgent meals!

A delightful surprise! Far beyond traditional cuisine. Highly creative, excellent ingredients, original dishes, incredible skill: everything is perfect and homemade, from the amuse-bouche to the dessert and ice cream. A true delight! We'll be back!

This restaurant is definitely worth a visit! The cuisine is so refined it deserves to be mentioned. Everything is homemade at this level – we loved it. We had a wonderful time on the terrace overlooking a large, idyllic garden. Absolutely fantastic!

The best things: excellent and very well-balanced dishes, kudos to the chef!!, beautiful grounds and a lovely, bright dining room. Areas for improvement: sweep the dining room and brush the seats of crumbs before lunch service; also, if champagne is offered to one table (knowing that we were only two tables), it should be offered to everyone, including rounding up the bill. This should be impeccable for a lunch at this price (€180 for two, set menu + drinks).